LOVE FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
Chapter Eleven
Jack and Rose trudged along the road until
they came to a fork. A rough trail, just wide enough for a horse and buggy,
branched off to the right, a smooth road to the left. Jack started walking up
the right path. Rose followed, thinking she had never seen a town as peaceful
as Chippewa Falls before. I hope Jack's friend Thomas and his wife are nice,
she thought.
They walked on a bit further until they
reached a clearing screened by various bushes and trees. Jack parted the lower
branches of one particularly large tree and gestured to Rose that she follow.
"The Dawson family home," he announced with a mock British accent.
Rose giggled and took a look at the house. It’s a nice, large farmhouse,
she thought, taking note of a wicker weave swing hanging from a chestnut tree
and the large barn on the left.
"Come on," said Jack. "I know
Thomas was keeping an eye on the house, but he’s always forgetful about the
garden."
Rose was inclined to agree as she picked her
way through the weeds and nettles that made up the lawn. She thought she could
see the remains of a vegetable garden in a sunny spot, and traces of a
flowerbed in a corner.
They ascended the steps to the porch and Jack
placed the key in the lock. The door swung open noiselessly. Jack suddenly
dropped the suitcase he was carrying and picked Rose up in his arms. "What
are you doing? Put me down!" exclaimed Rose, laughing helplessly.
"Carrying you over the threshold, of
course," said Jack. He set her down and went to bring the suitcases in.
Rose brushed herself off and took a look around the house.
It was simply but neatly furnished, in a way
Rose found very comforting. It reminds me of something, she thought.
I'm not sure what. Jack brought in the last of the suitcases and looked
around the hall.
"The house looks almost exactly like it
did when I left it," he said. "The bedroom’s the second door on your
right—I’ll go check out the rest of the house."
Rose picked up a suitcase and ventured across
the hall. She opened the door and stepped into a large, comfortable bedroom. I
know what this house reminds me of now! thought Rose. It reminds me of
my father's study. Unlike the rest of the house, her father’s room had been
simple and understated. It had overlooked the garden and it had been the most
peaceful room in the house, she recalled.
Rose’s father had never minded when she came
into his study, as long as she didn’t disturb him when he was busy. When he had
fallen ill, the study was converted into his bedroom. Even then, it was quiet
and peaceful. Rose shook her head and came back into the present. She opened a
suitcase and took out a change of clothes, then headed off behind the screen to
change.
*****
A beam of sunlight that had fallen on the bed
awakened Rose. She stretched and lay there for a while, listening to the
birdcalls and Jack’s peaceful breathing. She smiled and turned to look at the
clock.
"Ten already?" she asked out loud.
"Five more minutes, please, Ma,"
murmured Jack sleepily.
Rose giggled. That sounded familiar—Robert
was never up early during summer holidays and it had been agonizing waiting for
him to wake up so he could show her his new secret fishing hole or the birds’
nest he had found.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," teased Rose
as she leaned over to kiss Jack. "It’s already ten o’clock."
Jack sat bolt upright at Rose’s words.
"Come on. We’d better get going! I want to introduce you everyone in this
town."